Via Aporrea this morning, I learned that the man who brought “Guantanamera” to Gringolandia had passed away yesterday at the age of 94, after a week’s hospitalization. In a strange twist, today is the 161st anniversary of the birth of José Martí, who wrote the song that Pete made into a hit. So the two are united now in eternity. I like to think that he went out singing like this:
He could put a swing on that song like no one else. And he passed that knack on to his grandson, who, like his abuelo, is a leftist and a social activist as well as a singer.
So long, Pete, and thanks for all the wonderful music.
